Comparison of the Achievement of Students Taught by Full-time versus Adjunct Faculty in the Chemistry of Hazardous Materials Course: Governance and Management.

Clark, Burton A.

The purpose of this study was to compare student achievement as determined by final test scores of students at the National Fire Academy (Maryland) who were taught either by full-time faculty or by adjunct faculty. All 10 classes of the Chemistry of Hazardous Materials course for the fiscal year 1989 were included in the study for a total of 279 students, of whom 144 were taught by adjunct faculty and 135 were taught by full-time faculty. Scores on the standard final exam were compared using a t test and chi square. Results indicated no statistically significant difference in the mean test scores between the two groups or in the distribution of scores between the groups. Results led to three recommendations: to include the study results in the management report on the effectiveness of adjunct faculty; to continue to utilize adjunct faculty to teach the course; and to conduct similar studies in other curriculum areas. Includes 12 references. (Author/DB)